Italian Engraving “Maggio” by Francesco Bartolozzi

Collectibles : Paintings, Prints

 

Submitted for your consideration is a charming Italian print that celebrates the month of May by a talented engraver and printmaker. Francesco Bartolozzi (1727-1815) was an engraver, etcher and painter born in Florence, Italy. He was trained in the Florentine Academy and apprenticed to a Venetian engraver. In 1764, King George III's librarian brought him to England, where he was appointed Engraver to the King and later held the title of Royal Academician. A prolific engraver, he developed a stipple method invented in France, and his work was admired for its subtle modulations of light and shade and his sensitive and graceful portrayal of the human form. Engravings were the means of creating reproductions of fine art in the pre-photographic age, and Bartolozzi was considered one of the best. Prominent artists such as Sir Joshua Reynolds praised his work and his pupils nicknamed him "the god of drawing." He spent the last 13 years of his life working and teaching in Lisbon, where he was knighted.

This wonderful print is entitled “Maggio’ (May) and it comes from his famous, The Twelve Months of the Year suite. The set depicts the twelve months of the year, using scenes of rural tasks or entertainments that characterize the months. The scenes portrayed also summon up memories of family life that hark back to our origins or experiences of social interaction. Please note the fashionably attired women in a courtyard that is decorated with classic sculptures. The engravers talent can be seen in the subtle colors that blend to create a beautiful scene that captures the very essence of the month that lend its name to the works title.

The print is in excellent condition and it is framed in an ornately decorated gilt wood frame that is in good condition with some flaws as shown in the photographs. We can offer this example of a print by an artist who has been collected by major museums all over the globe for $375.00.

Item ID: RL-5360